Benton, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benton, Ringgold County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 44 days in the Ringgold forecast zone and Ringgold County — the most common reported hazard around Benton, mostly in June and April. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and high winds (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 44 | Apr 2025 | Feb 20, 2014 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 23 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2024 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Sep 2018 | Sep 9, 2014 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 11 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Sep 2014 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Ringgold forecast zone and Ringgold County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Benton get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Benton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Ayr weather station 6.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Benton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 78 miles north-northeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Benton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 78 mi north-northeast | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 113 mi west-northwest | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 131 mi south | 14,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Benton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 114 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benton, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 8, 1999, which passed about 23 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF1 on April 17, 2025, which passed about 15 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 313 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 44 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 2005.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Benton's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Benton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benton, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 78 miles north-northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benton the lowest scan from KDMX is about 6,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Benton free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Benton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mount Ayr, IA radar 6 mi
- Lenox, IA radar 16 mi
- Bedford, IA radar 19 mi
- Lamoni, IA radar 23 mi
- Creston, IA radar 25 mi
- Corning, IA radar 28 mi
- Leon, IA radar 32 mi
- Clarinda, IA radar 35 mi
- Villisca, IA radar 36 mi
- Osceola, IA radar 38 mi